february round up
a month of inconsistency and co-existence
January, 2026, just hits me like a truck with the realization I’m getting older. Not really, though, because I am merely 22, fresh out the slammer, but I can’t help but feel specially stuck. Living on borrowed time and past the point of no return.
Summer here hits me with a hit of nausea, the sun melts against my windows and god, I think, what a time to be alive. So much despair, and yet so much hope.
I write this mid-february like I didn’t had this essay planned in my head for weeks. But only now it seems right to share, if it makes sense. I think, as much as I’ve been inconsistent with my own writing practice, neglectful even, it never fails me, and one of my goals this year is to create more than I consume, which sounds pretty ambitious but I think this is the year for doing it.
For me, I guess February has an even stronger “restart” energy than January does. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that my classes don’t start until February and January puts me in a state of suspension, where I’m wiped clean of obligations and all the academic stress. It feels almost wrong, to have that much free time for myself, but I’ve lingered into every bittersweet moment of January that reminds me times passes anyway.
But no, February is here and the bittersweet taste of January is leaving my mouth and hopefully taking all despair with it. I allow myself to be hopeful again, for now, and I hope you, dear reader, can do the same. I recall lessons taught long ago, I take with me only what still makes sense. It's indeed a strange process, the one of becoming in your 20’s. Each drop of time feels so precious as we let it slip through our fingers.
If my February was a book, it would be Just kids, by Patti Smith. If it was a song, it would be Hammer, by Lorde; summer heat and pouring rain and occasionally gray skies. If it was a drink, it would be either an ichigo matcha, iced and made with milk and aspirations and hope, just right on sweetness for it to not be sickly. If it was a colour, it would be plum purple and olive green. If it was a food, it would be the best shawarma of your life, falafel and garlic sauce that sings to the angels. If it was a perfume, it would be Figo, by granado, green and fresh and just the right amount of comfort.
February is for hope born again, discipline and ritual. About finding rythm again and regaining consciousness, it’s for living out summer days like you’re in a movie. If it was a tarot card, it would be the emperor.
Here are some things that I’ve been loving in February and some inspiration:
Ritualize your everyday. I have a love for the mundane and for rituals alike. This month, I’m focusing on finding the perfect morning routine; I’ve found out so far that it has something to do with going to sleep with your phone on DND and waking up half an hour earlier than you normally would, not checking your notifications for the first hour of the day, stretches and meditation and jazz playlists and a warm, filling breakfast that feels like a hug. It also has a lot to do with reading and journaling while you sip on a good mug of tea, I’ve been loving hibiscus and jasmine green tea especially. Get a good blend, and feel free to adjust this to your liking.
Conscious consuming. As I’ve mention, don’t go into your phone first thing in the morning, but if you do, try to not get lost on the doomscrolling. Pick up an album to listen to in its entirety, open substack and browse for a good essay, read the news, if that’s more your jam. I’m convinced anything is better than one hour of 30 second videos melting your brain away.
Go seek. Which is something I don’t quite know how to explain to people, but to me, it feels like putting yourself out there and not saving joy for last. Go to the movies and watch something you know little about in advance, go explore a part of your city that you’ve never been to, try on a new restaurant or a new drink at the pub, go to your farmer’s market and the antique store and to an exhibition on a museum. Don’t wait, don’t delay joy.
the cultural diggest:
or everything that have brought me hope, joy or love this month:
Marty Supreme (2025): I went to see it in the movies, and honestly? Yes, it has its flaws, but Timothée delivers one of the finest performances I’ve seen of him. My sister has played in a couple different table tennis leagues over the last seven years or so, and I went to see it with her (she wasn’t impressed about Timothée’s abilities at all), and she really enjoyed it too. I don’t know if it’s Oscar worthy, but it’s definitely worth checking it out.
Sinners (2025): Yes, I’m watching all the nominees for best picture. Yes, I think they’re all amazing. Michael B. Jordan kills in this performance, and everything is so visually stunning, I can’t find anything to dislike. It’s not a movie that rushes through the story, and even when pace picks up, you’re left stunned, not completely lost. The soundtrack and long-take is otherworldly good, and even smaller parts like Hailee’s shine on this script.
Ainda estou aqui (2024): Fernanda Torres absolutamente premiada! It deserves a special mention here because even if it’s not on this year’s list, this movie is an absolute masterpiece. The direction of Walter Salles brings the anguish to the viewer of not knowing what happened to someone you love, and you can see the moment each of the characters break and build themselves up again. The pain is impossible to assimilate in its enormity, and still, it comes so close.
The 100, there’s nothing I love more than rediscovering favourites, and this series is my absolute love. It’s not the series, and it probably evolves with so much plotholes you couldn’t hold water with it by the seventh season, but it’s so dear to me. I love most of the characters and the story, but the early seasons specially are so nostalgic to watch.
Vintage silverware, I bought a vintage shell snack tray while looking for candleholders, and I’m in love with it. It fits so many trinkets, and I’ve been using it as an offering dish/trinket and jewelry holder and it’s just so cute.
it looks like this (though this one is not my pic)
This was my february, and writing again a month round up after a while feels so good and fresh! Hope you’re well, and see you soon.
love, juno.
Enjoyable read